The Un-Series: Week 6 Day 5

2 Chronicles 33:14-17

14 Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. 15 And he took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside of the city. 16 He also restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.

Why does God command our obedience? Think of the picture of a loving parent or guardian to their teenager. I remember when my parents fought tooth and nail against me having social media. I felt so left out, like I had no connection. My parents, however, were able to see past my immediate grief into my potential destruction from the comparison and distraction that having social media often brings. They had to raise me up to make wise decisions based on the guidance of my youth. Manasseh became king very young. Rather than trusting his advisors and concerning himself with the will of God, he did as he saw fit. I find it funny the parallel between the first actions of Manasseh after he returned from God reforming him and the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 25:28

28 A man without self-control

    is like a city broken into and left without walls.

God repaired the walls of a man who had been so broken. He transformed Manasseh into God’s image. So how is God transforming you, and rebuilding your walls?